Interactive content delivery system and apparatus with global reach capability

ABSTRACT

In a method for providing a content service to a recipient ( 20 ) in communications, a service center ( 14 ) receives information on a recipient identification and on service terminals ( 16 ) assigned, in a sender device ( 38 ), for the content. The service center ( 14 ) uploads the content to the assigned service terminals ( 16 ). The service terminal ( 16 ) receives information on a location of a transmitter device ( 34 ) of the recipient ( 20 ). The service terminal ( 16 ) compares the received location information with location information on the service terminal ( 16 ). Based on the comparing, if the service terminal is in a close proximity of the transmitter device ( 34 ) of the recipient ( 20 ) the service terminal ( 16 ) activates a first display content for inviting the service terminal ( 16 ) to display the uploaded content on a monitor of the service terminal ( 16 ). When the recipient acknowledges the first display content, the service terminal may take actions related to a second display content.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The exemplary and non-limiting embodiments of this invention relategenerally to wireless communications networks, and more particularly toproviding a personalized greeting and advertisement content service in acommunications system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims the benefit tothe following non-provisional utility patent application which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety: Ser. No. 13/172,195, filedJun. 29, 2011, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following description of background art may include insights,discoveries, understandings or disclosures, or associations togetherwith disclosures not known to the relevant art prior to the presentinvention but provided by the invention. Some such contributions of theinvention may be specifically pointed out below, whereas other suchcontributions of the invention will be apparent from their context.

Traditionally, advertising is a form of communication used to persuadeviewers, readers or listeners to take some action with respect toproducts, ideas, or services. Advertising messages are usually paid forby sponsors and viewed via various media, including traditional mediasuch as newspapers, magazines, television, radio, outdoor or directmail, or new media such as websites and text messages. In 2010, theamount of money spent on advertising was estimated to be more than $300billion in the United States, and $500 billion worldwide, which confirmsthe importance of such communication. As a result, a problem is that theprice of advertisements addressing a vast audience is becomingincredibly high and practically inaccessible for individual advertisers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order toprovide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. Thissummary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is notintended to identify key elements of the invention or to delineate thescope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts ofthe invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detaileddescription that is presented later.

Various aspects of the invention comprise methods and apparatuses asdefined in the independent claims. Further embodiments of the inventionare disclosed in the dependent claims.

An aspect of the invention relates to a method of providing a contentservice to a recipient in a communications system, wherein the methodcomprises receiving information on a recipient identification in aservice terminal apparatus assigned, in a sender device, for the contentservice; uploading the content service to the assigned service terminalapparatus; receiving, in the service terminal apparatus, information onthe recipient identification received from a transmitter device of therecipient by a receiver device of the service terminal apparatus;comparing location information on the service terminal apparatus withlocation information of the receiver device which received the recipientidentification from the transmitter device of the recipient; wherein if,based on the comparing, it is detected that the service terminalapparatus is the service terminal apparatus the receiver device of whichreceived the recipient identification from the transmitter device of therecipient, the method comprises activating the content service in theservice terminal apparatus for inviting the service terminal apparatusto display the uploaded content service on a monitor of the serviceterminal apparatus.

A further aspect of the invention relates to a method of providing acontent service to a recipient in a communications system, wherein themethod comprises receiving information on a recipient identification ina service terminal apparatus assigned, in a sender device, for thecontent service; uploading the content service to the assigned serviceterminal apparatus; receiving, in the service terminal apparatus,information on a location of a transmitter device of the recipient;comparing the received location information with location information onthe assigned service terminal apparatus; if, based on the comparing, theservice terminal apparatus identifies that the recipient is in a closeproximity of the service terminal apparatus, the method comprisesactivating the content service in the service terminal apparatus forinviting the service terminal apparatus to display the uploaded contentservice on a monitor of the service terminal apparatus.

A still further aspect of the invention relates to a method of providinga content service to a recipient in a communications system, wherein themethod comprises receiving information on a time schedule in a serviceterminal apparatus assigned, in a sender device, for the contentservice; uploading the content service to the assigned service terminalapparatus; based on the received time schedule, activating the contentservice in the service terminal apparatus for inviting the serviceterminal apparatus to display the uploaded content service on a monitorof the service terminal apparatus.

A still further aspect of the invention relates to a service centerapparatus configured to receive information on a recipientidentification and one or more service terminal apparatuses assigned, bya sender device, for a content service; upload the content service tothe one or more assigned service terminal apparatuses; transmit thereceived information on the recipient identification to the one or moreassigned service terminal apparatuses.

A still further aspect of the invention relates to a service centerapparatus configured to receive information on a recipientidentification and one or more service terminal apparatuses assigned, ina sender device, for a content service; upload the content service tothe one or more assigned service terminal apparatuses; receiveinformation on a location of a transmitter device of the recipient;transmit the information on the location of the transmitter device ofthe recipient to the same service terminal apparatus where the contentservice for the recipient identification was uploaded.

A still further aspect of the invention relates to a service centerapparatus configured to receive information on a time schedule and oneor more service terminal apparatuses assigned, in a sender device, for acontent service; upload the content service to the one or more assignedservice terminal apparatuses; transmit the received time schedule to theone or more assigned service terminals apparatuses.

A still further aspect of the invention relates to a service centerapparatus configured to upload a content service based on an uploadcontent service message received from a service center apparatus;receive information on a recipient identification received, from atransmitter device of a recipient, by a receiver device of the serviceterminal apparatus; compare location information on the service terminalapparatus with location information of the receiver device whichreceived the recipient identification from the transmitter device of therecipient; wherein if, based on the comparing, it is detected that theservice terminal apparatus is the service terminal apparatus thereceiver device of which received the recipient identification from thetransmitter device of the recipient, the service terminal apparatus isconfigured to activate the content service for inviting the serviceterminal apparatus to display the uploaded content service on a monitorof the service terminal apparatus.

A still further aspect of the invention relates to a service terminalapparatus configured to upload a content service based on an uploadcontent service message received from a service center apparatus;receive information on a location of a transmitter device of arecipient; compare the received location information with locationinformation of the service terminal apparatus; if, based on thecomparing, the service terminal apparatus identifies that the recipientis in a close proximity of the service terminal apparatus, the serviceterminal apparatus is configured to activate the content service in theservice terminal apparatus for inviting the service terminal apparatusto display the uploaded content service on a monitor of the serviceterminal apparatus.

A still further aspect of the invention relates to a service terminalapparatus configured to receive information on a time schedule for acontent service; upload the content service based on an upload contentservice message received from a service center apparatus; activate,based on the received time schedule, the content service in the serviceterminal apparatus for inviting the service terminal apparatus todisplay the uploaded content service on a monitor of the serviceterminal apparatus.

A still further aspect of the invention relates to a service terminalapparatus configured to upload a content service based on an uploadcontent service message received from a service center apparatus;receive information that the recipient is in a close proximity of theservice terminal apparatus, the service terminal apparatus is configuredto activate interactive two-steps message content delivery in theservice terminal apparatus for inviting the service terminal apparatusto display the uploaded content on a monitor of the service terminalapparatus on the first step, and after service terminal recognizeschange in movement (e.g., a slow-down of the person, specific bodygestures, and such) or facial pattern recognition, or obtains,interprets, and executes voice confirmation that message content isacquired by recipient, the second step of message content delivery isemployed to display the remaining parts of message content beinguploaded to the service terminal as a said two-steps message contentdelivery.

A still further aspect of the invention relates to the service terminalapparatus configured to upload a content service based on interactivetwo-steps message content delivery when the second step of messagecontent is provided either as a pre-recorded content based on predictedrecipient's reaction on the content displayed at the first step, or as atwo-way live video/voice interaction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following the invention will be described in greater detail bymeans of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings,in which

FIG. 1 shows a simplified block diagram illustrating an exemplary systemarchitecture according to a first exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 shows a simplified block diagram illustrating an exemplary systemarchitecture according to a second exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 shows a simplified block diagram illustrating an exemplary systemarchitecture according to a third exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4 shows a simplified block diagram illustrating exemplaryapparatuses;

FIG. 5 shows a messaging diagram illustrating an exemplary messagingevent according to the first and second exemplary embodiments;

FIG. 6 shows a messaging diagram illustrating an exemplary messagingevent according to the third exemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 show a schematic diagram of a flow chart according toan exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

An exemplary embodiment enables providing a greeting and advertisementsystem, and, more particularly, a way of global reach delivery ofpersonalized greeting and advertisement content created by anindividual. Thus, an exemplary embodiment enables emphasizing a furtherform of communication—interactive greeting messages. Unlikeadvertisement, greeting messages are addressed to an individual or to asmall group of individuals, by using personalized messages. A “happybirthday” or a “welcome aboard” slogan that one may find at his/herworkplace is an example of personalized greeting. This type ofcommunication is usually inexpensive and distributed locally. Itsimportance lays in its very strong emotional content.

Utilization of big TV screens and/or flat computer monitors in publicplaces has become a ubiquitous attribute of modern life. These bigscreens viewable from a relatively long distance are used to providevaluable information, frequently mixed with advertisement content.Typical places for such big screens include airports, shopping malls,sport arenas, etc.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the new type ofcommunication is employed based on a fusion of global reach-enabledmedia, personalized greeting and personalized advertisements, andglobally distributed network of big screen computer monitors/terminalsin public places, interconnected into a personalized greeting andadvertisement system. This fusion makes personalized greeting andadvertisement content possible to be viewable on any of globallydistributed big screen computer monitor networks. The personalizedgreeting and advertisement system service may be made widely availableand incomparably cheaper than traditional immense audienceadvertisements. Moreover, due to its personalized nature it is capableof involving an important emotional component attracting people to useit. The personalized greeting and advertisement system also is a greatopportunity for small business advertisers, because it provides a quick,simple, and affordable way to reach potential customers at places wherethe terminals are installed, attractive for new media advertising sincethey may be located in public and populous areas: shopping malls,airports, schools and colleges, or just busy streets.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be describedmore fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, inwhich some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed,the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not beconstrued as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, theseembodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicablelegal requirements. Although the specification may refer to “an”, “one”,or “some” embodiment(s) in several locations, this does not necessarilymean that each such reference is to the same embodiment(s), or that thefeature only applies to a single embodiment. Single features ofdifferent embodiments may also be combined to provide other embodiments.Like reference numerals refer to like elements through-out.

The present invention is applicable to any user terminal, server,corresponding component, and/or to any communication system or anycombination of different communication systems that support provision ofa personalized content service. The communication system may be a fixedcommunication system or a wireless communication system or acommunication system utilizing both fixed networks and wireless networks(including mobile wireless networks). The protocols used thespecifications of communication systems, servers and user terminals,especially in wireless communication, develop rapidly. Such developmentmay require extra changes to an embodiment. Therefore, all words andexpressions should be interpreted broadly and they are intended toillustrate, not to restrict, the embodiment.

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, let us examine an example of a radiosystem to which embodiments of the invention can be applied. In thisexample, the radio system is based on GSM network elements. However, theinvention described in these examples is not limited to the GSM radiocommunications systems but can also be implemented in other radiocommunications systems, such as LTE, UMTS (universal mobiletelecommunications system), EDGE, WCDMA, Bluetooth network, WLAN orother mobile or wireless network. In an embodiment, the presentedsolution may be applied between user equipment belonging to differentbut compatible systems such as LTE and UMTS.

A general architecture of a communication system is illustrated in FIGS.1 to 4. FIGS. 1 to 4 illustrate a simplified system architecture onlyshowing some elements and functional entities, all being logical unitswhose implementation may differ from what is shown. The connectionsshown in FIGS. 1 to 4 are logical connections; the actual physicalconnections may be different. It is apparent to a person skilled in theart that the systems also comprise other functions and structures. Itshould be appreciated that the functions, structures, elements, andprotocols used in or for wireless communication are irrelevant to theactual invention. Therefore, they need not be discussed in more detailhere.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a communication systemaccording to a first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 1 illustrates aperspective view of an exemplary personalized greeting and advertisementsystem in which a sender 10 is an individual user, connected, by meansof a user terminal 38, to the Internet 12 by the time of placing apersonalized greeting or advertisement into the system. The connectionto the Internet 12 may be provided by a wired or wireless link from anyplace where Internet service is available.

A service center 14 is a core network element of the personalizedgreeting and advertisement system, for facilitating a user interface,handling data flow, and/or providing system management. The servicecenter 14 may facilitate different ways of how to access thepersonalized greeting and advertisement system from the sender's 10personalized desktop computer 38, laptop computer 38, handheld computer38, cellular phone 38, etc. Any suitable technology that makes itpossible to place personalized greeting or advertisement media into theservice center 14 database may be utilized. For example, a web portal ofthe service center 14 may be used to place personalized greeting oradvertisement media into the service center 14 database. The sender 10is a registered user of the personalized greeting and advertisementsystem. During system access authentication, the sender 10 may assign arecipient(s) 20 identification number (ID), select a service terminal16, or a group of service terminals (any one or more of service terminal1, service terminal 2, . . . , service terminal N) for the greeting oradvertisement to be displayed, choose the content activation option, andupload greeting or advertisement content to the service center 14database to be processed.

Different content activation options are disclosed herein to allowgreeting or advertisement content to be viewed on the selected serviceterminal(s) 16. The term “content activation” as used herein may referto the process when personalized greeting or advertisement content,stored in a computer memory of the service terminal 16 in the form of atext message, picture, video/audio clip, or any combination of suchmedia, is brought up to the service terminal's 16 monitor for therecipient(s) 20 observation. The term “content activation” as usedherein may also refer to the interactive two-steps content delivery whenthe service terminal apparatus displays the uploaded content on amonitor of the service terminal apparatus on the first step, and afterservice terminal recognizes change in movement (e.g., slow down,specific body gestures, and such) or facial pattern, or gets voiceconfirmation that message content is acquired by recipient, the secondstep of message content delivery is employed to display the remainingparts of message content being uploaded to the service terminal as asaid interactive two-steps message content delivery. The video camera 40and microphone 42 of service terminal 16 are employed specifically tosupport the interactive two-steps content delivery option. One ofordinary skill in the art would appreciate that modern, so-called “SmartTV”s, are equipped with hardware that will allow the system to performcertain functional aspects of the methods described herein (e.g.,processor, memory, internet connection, video camera, microphone). Incertain embodiments, the system may be configured to utilize thehardware integrated into such Smart TVs to act as a service terminal,generally by way of an installed application or otherwise providingmodules or software to direct the hardware of a Smart TV to act inaccordance with the methods and systems described herein.

In certain embodiments, the system, and particularly service terminals,may utilize two or more reaction detection means (e.g., microphones,cameras, RFIDs, range finders) to detect the recipient's reaction to thefirst displayed content. The more reaction detection means that detectappropriate reactions from the recipient (e.g., slow down, change infacial elements, voice acknowledgement), the higher probability falsepositives will be eliminated. For instance, if the recipient changes hisor her pace for other reasons or glances quickly at the service terminalwithout comprehending the first displayed content, a single reactiondetection means could accidentally send a false positive.

In certain embodiments, the system may have various thresholds set forreaction detection. For instance, regarding change in pace/movement, thesystem may require a significant altering of pace and that pacealteration sustained for a period of time (e.g., 1 second, 2 seconds, 5seconds) or change of pace plus alteration of movement direction (e.g.,increasing angle/approach towards the service terminal). Failure tocross the threshold will result in the system not to acknowledgedelivery of the first display content. Crossing the threshold, whetherwith one or multiple reaction detection means, may cause the system toconfirm receipt of the first display content and proceed with theinteraction with the recipient.

In certain embodiments, the system may be configured to provide thefirst display content to user via a publicly viewable service terminalbut inform the user that the second display content will only beviewable on a private or semi-private service terminal. For instance, ifthe content of the second display content is personal, profane orotherwise should not be viewed in a public setting, the system may beconfigured to provide the first display content to the recipient andidentify where the recipient can go or what the recipient can do toreceive the second display content.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second displaycontent may be comprised of one or more of a pre-recorded interaction, arequest for a live interaction (e.g., with sender or other individualsuch as through a video conferencing means), a live interaction (e.g.,with sender or other individual such as through a video conferencingmeans), or any combination thereof.

In certain embodiments, the system may be configured to wait tocommunicate the second display content until receiving a particularreaction from recipient. This particular reaction may be separate fromthe reaction detection previously described and may be used inconjunction with or in lieu of said reaction detection. In certainembodiments, recipient may be required to activate display of the seconddisplay content by gesture, facial reaction, or speech recognitioninvolving the techniques. For example, when one arrived to airport andpassing by service terminals containing greeting for him, that greetingmessage will pop up on the screen. Because message is personallyaddressed, the natural human reaction on it is to stop, read message orview picture or video clip content, then smile, make gestures, sayexclamation phrases, etc. Such activities in front of service terminalcamera and microphone may initiate a sequence of previously uploadedmeaningful messages associated with the main greeting. Let's say, onmessage “Hello John, welcome to San Francisco!” the recipient will stop,smile and wave to screen, which will activate the next message “We knewyou will like this greeting. Glad to see your smiling face. We will meetyou in hotel in 1 hour”.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a communication system for GPS-basedidentification of the recipient's 20 presence in accordance with asecond exemplary embodiment.

The first and second exemplary embodiments are based on determiningwhether the recipient 20 for whom a personalized greeting oradvertisement is stored in the service terminal 16 memory is in a closeproximity of that service terminal 16. The term close proximity is usedherein to refer, for example, to a range of about a hundred feet wherean average person is able to visually recognize the greeting oradvertisement message or video clip on a big screen monitor 24. Thisrange may be longer or shorter, depending on numerous factors, such asthe size of the big screen monitor and the level of detail of content tobe displayed (e.g., text requires closer proximity than images) The termbig screen monitor 24 is used herein to refer, for instance, a modernLCD, LED, or plasma technology monitor. Preferred embodiments may beused with monitors of a size of about 50 inches (diagonal screenmeasurement). A first exemplary embodiment is based on use of a shortrange radio 18 link. The term short range radio 18 is used herein torefer to a wireless communication device with the range of up to aboutone or several hundred feet. Such short range radio signals maycorrespond, for instance, to a garage opener, remote car lock, or such.The first exemplary embodiment may require the recipient 20 to carry ona short range transmitter 30 that is powered up and running in a beaconmode. The short range transmitter 30 allows the unique ID of therecipient 20 to be periodically broadcasted. For example, a modern handheld device such as a cellular phone may be used as an ID beaconutilizing WiFi, Bluetooth or similar technologies. The period ofbroadcasting may vary; it may involve, for example, about a 5-10 secondstime interval.

In the second exemplary embodiment, the global positioning system (GPS)data is utilized for identification of a relative position of theservice terminal 16 and recipient 20. The GPS position of each serviceterminal 16 is measured with a GPS sensor 32 and stored in a servicecenter 14 database. The second exemplary embodiment may require therecipient 20 to carry on a GPS poster 34 (a GPS position transmitter).The GPS poster 34 periodically transmits, to the service center 14,information on the recipient's current position along with therecipient's ID. The period for the recipient's position update may bethe same as described above in connection with the first exemplaryembodiment, i.e. a time interval of about 5-10 seconds may be used. Theservice center 14 may require that a monitoring and decision makingprogram runs uninterruptedly in the service center 14. This program isemployed to identify whether any of the registered recipients are in aclose proximity of any service terminal 16, and whether the serviceterminal 16 has greeting or advertisement content stored in its memoryfor that particular recipient 20. If at least one of the registeredrecipients is in a close proximity of a service terminal 16, and if theservice terminal 16 has greeting or advertisement content stored in itsmemory for that particular recipient 20, the service terminal 16 bringsthe stored greeting or advertisement content information up on thescreen. The expression close proximity may refer to the same as in theexemplary embodiment described above. For example, a modern GPS-enabledcellular telephone 32 may be employed as a GPS poster 34 to upload therecipient's position data to the service center 14 over any availablecellular or wireless network.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a communication system for implementingcontent activation based on a time schedule, or for anonymousrecipients, in accordance with a third exemplary embodiment. FIG. 3illustrates personalized greeting and advertisement system utilizationfor content activation based on a time schedule 36 for recipients whomost likely are located in the close proximity of the service terminal16 at a particular time, or for anonymous recipients. It represents acontent activation option that employs time frame scheduling. It allowsthe sender 10 to set up an exact time when the greeting or advertisementcontent stored in the selected service terminal(s) 16, is to beactivated and brought up on the screen. It also enables defining a timeduration and a number of repetitions for that content. This contentactivation option is suitable for recipients who are not equipped withany position identification devices described above in connection withthe first and second exemplary embodiments, as well as for the generalpublic advertising. It may be used e.g. by service terminals located atpopulated places like airports, college campus, along the road, andsuch, where the time of the recipient's appearance is usually well knownor easy to be predicted.

Content activation options described above may be employedsimultaneously in any combinations, or alone.

FIG. 4 illustrates a service terminal infrastructure of a greeting andadvertisement system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.Referring to FIG. 4, a computer 22 of the service terminal 16 may beemployed to provide one or more of the following:

-   -   a wireless Internet connection 28,    -   a wired Internet connection 26,    -   a short range radio 18 link,

a video camera 40,

-   -   a microphone 42,    -   GPS acquiring,    -   displaying the personalized greeting and advertisement content        on a big screen monitor 24,    -   a personalized greeting and advertisement content storage update        and protection,    -   a periodic service terminal 16 status report back to the service        center 14.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the service terminal 16 comprisesa device with a global reach capability, providing a connection via theInternet 12. The way the service terminal 16 is connected to theInternet 12 may depend on the availability of different types ofInternet 12 connections. A multi-pass approach may be employed for theInternet 12 connection flexibility and robustness to keep the serviceterminal 16 operational in case one or more of the connections areunavailable or malfunctioning. Examples of wireless Internet connections28 include a WiFi hot spot, and/or a general packet radio service (GPRS)provided by a local cellular phone network, or any other wireless orcellular connection. The service terminal 16 computer 22 may also beequipped with a short range radio 18 that is capable of continuouslylistening to the recipient's 20 short range transmitter 30 beaconsignals to identify whether any recipients are in the close proximity ofthe service terminal 16. The short range radio 18 may be capable tooperate on several frequencies. The GPS sensor 32 is employed to providelocation information on the service terminal 16. The GPS sensor 32 maybe an optional feature. The big screen monitor 24 may be a part of theservice terminal 16 that appears to the user. The size of the monitormay vary depending on the area of service. It may be relatively smallwhen used in public transportation, for example, in a taxi car, bus,airplane, etc. It may also be as big as several meters in size when usedin a wide open public area like a sport arena, convention center, bigstreet, etc. A common use of the greeting and advertisement system inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment anticipates as a suitable sizeof a monitor about 50 inches, for example. For outdoor use, the serviceterminal 16 may have some kind of a weather protection cover in it orattached to it.

If in some area a big screen monitor is already installed and in use, itmay be utilized by adding a personalized greeting and advertisementsystem functionality to it. In such cases, only the computer 22 togetherwith its peripheral devices and interfaces assembled in one enclosuremay need to be added.

FIGS. 1 to 4 show one or more sender devices 38 located in the servicearea of the service centre node 14. The sender device may refer to aportable computing device, and it may also be referred to as a userterminal (user equipment). Such computing devices include wireless,wired and/or mobile communication devices operating with or without asubscriber identification module (SIM) in hardware or in software,including, but not limited to, the following types of devices: mobilephone, smartphone, personal digital assistant (PDA), handset, laptopcomputer, desktop computer. In the example situation of FIGS. 1 to 4,the sender device 38 is capable of connecting to the service centre node14 via the Internet 12.

FIGS. 1 to 4 only illustrates a simplified example. In practice, thenetwork may include more base stations and radio network controllers,and more cells may be formed by the base stations. The networks of twoor more operators may overlap; the sizes and form of the cells may varyfrom what is depicted in FIGS. 1 to 4, etc. The communication system mayalso be able to communicate with other networks, such as a publicswitched telephone network. The embodiments are not, however, restrictedto the network given above as an example, but a person skilled in theart may apply the solution to other communication networks provided withthe necessary properties. For example, the connections between differentnetwork elements may be realized with Internet protocol (IP)connections.

FIGS. 1 to 4 only illustrate a simplified example. In practice, thenetwork may include fewer or additional network elements. The networksof two or more operators may overlap; the sizes and form of the networksmay vary from what is depicted in FIGS. 1 to 4, etc. The communicationsystem may also be able to communicate with other networks, such as apublic switched telephone network. The embodiments are not, however,restricted to the network given above as an example, but a personskilled in the art may apply the solution to other communicationnetworks provided with the necessary properties.

The signalling chart of FIG. 5 illustrates a preferred signallingaccording to the first and second exemplary embodiments. In the exampleof FIG. 5, a sender device 38 which may comprise e.g. a user equipment,transmits, in a message 501, to a service center apparatus 14,information on a recipient identification and information on one or moreservice terminal apparatuses assigned, in the sender device 38, for acontent service. The service center apparatus 14 that may include e.g. aservice center node or server, may also receive the respective contentin message 501 (and respond to the sender device 38 with a serviceassignment confirmation message 510). The content service herein mayrefer to a personalized greeting and/or advertisement as disclosedabove. The received information and/or content may be stored in adatabase memory by the apparatus 14. In message 502, the service senderapparatus 14 transmits signalling to the one or more assigned serviceterminal apparatuses 16, for uploading the content service to the one ormore assigned service terminal apparatuses.

In a message 503, according to the first exemplary embodiment,information on a recipient identification is transmitted from atransmitter device 30 of the recipient to a receiver device 18 of aservice terminal apparatus 16. The transmitter device 30 of therecipient may include e.g. a short range radio transmitter 30 capable oftransmitting recipient identification messages. The receiver device 18of the service terminal apparatus 16 may include e.g. a short rangeradio receiver 18 capable of listening to recipient identificationmessages. In a message 504, the information on the recipientidentification is forwarded from the receiver device 18 of the serviceterminal apparatus 16 to the corresponding service terminal apparatus16. In a message 505, the information on the recipient identificationmay be forwarded from the service terminal apparatus 16 to the servicecenter apparatus 14. The service center apparatus 14 may also receiveservice terminal apparatus's 16 location data transmitted by thereceiver device 18 of the assigned service terminal apparatuses 16 (notshown in FIG. 5). In step 508, the service terminal apparatus 16compares its own location information with the location of the receiverdevice 18 which received the recipient identification from thetransmitter device 30 of the recipient. If, based on the comparing, itis detected 508 that the service terminal apparatus 16 is the one thereceiver device 18 of which received the recipient identification fromthe transmitter device 30 of the recipient, the service terminalapparatus 16 brings 508 the uploaded content service up on the monitorof the selected service terminal apparatus 16.

In a message 506, according to the second exemplary embodiment, theservice center apparatus 14 receives recipient GPS location data from atransmitter device 34 of the recipient. The transmitter device 34 of therecipient may comprise e.g. a GPS poster 34 capable of transmittinginformation on a location of the transmitter device 34 of the recipient.The service center apparatus 14 may also receive service terminalapparatus's GPS location data from a GPS sensor 32 of the serviceterminal apparatus 16 (not shown in FIG. 5). In a message 507, theapparatus 14 transmits the recipient GPS location data to the sameservice terminal apparatus 16 where content for the recipient IDprovided in message 505 has been uploaded in message 502. In step 508,the service terminal apparatus 16 compares the recipient's GPS locationinformation received in message 507, with the service terminalapparatus's own location information to identify if the recipient 20 isin close proximity. If based on the comparing, the service terminalapparatus 16 identifies that the recipient is in the close proximity ofthe service terminal apparatus 16, the service terminal apparatus 16activates, in step 508, the stored content to display the content on theservice terminal screen in step 508. In a message 509, the serviceterminal apparatus 16 may transmit a service completion confirmation tothe service center apparatus 14, wherein, in a message 510, the servicecenter apparatus 14 may in turn transmit a service completionnotification to the sender device 38. Priority logic and a queuetechnique may be employed by the computer 22 if more than one recipient20 are simultaneously requesting a service in the close proximity of theservice terminal apparatus 16.

The signalling chart of FIG. 6 illustrates a preferred signallingaccording to the third exemplary embodiment. In the example of FIG. 6, asender device 38 which may comprise e.g. a user equipment, transmits, ina message 601, to a service center apparatus 14, information on a timeschedule and one or more service terminal apparatuses assigned, in asender device, for a content service. The service center apparatus 14that may include e.g. a service center node or server, may also receivethe respective content in message 601. The content service herein mayrefer to a personalized greeting and/or advertisement as disclosedabove. The received information and/or content are transmitted, inmessage 602, from the service center apparatus 14 to the one or moreassigned service terminal apparatuses 16, wherein in a message 602, theservice center apparatus 14 transmits signalling to the one or moreassigned service terminal apparatuses 16, for uploading the contentservice to the one or more assigned service terminal apparatuses 16. Thereceived information and/or content may be uploaded and stored in theservice terminal memory. In step 603, the service terminal apparatus 16,based on the received time schedule, activates the content service, forinviting the selected service terminal apparatus 16 to display theuploaded content service on a monitor of the selected service terminalapparatus 16. In step 603, the selected service terminal apparatus 16displays the uploaded content service on the monitor of the selectedservice terminal apparatus 16. In a message 604, the service terminalapparatus 16 may report the service completion to the service centerapparatus 14, wherein the service center apparatus 14 may subsequentlynotify, in a message 605, the sender device 38 on the servicecompletion.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating the first and second exemplaryembodiments. In step 701, a service center apparatus 14 receives, from asender device 38, information on a recipient identification andinformation on one or more service terminal apparatuses assigned, in thesender device 38, for a content service. The service center apparatus 14that may include e.g. a service center node or server, may also receivethe respective content in step 701. The content service herein may referto a personalized greeting and/or advertisement as disclosed above. Thereceived information and/or content may be stored 701 in a databasememory by the service center apparatus 14. In step 702, the servicecenter apparatus 14 transmits signalling to the one or more assignedservice terminal apparatuses 16, for uploading the content service tothe one or more assigned service terminal apparatuses.

In step 703, according to the first exemplary embodiment, information ona recipient identification is received from a service terminal 16. Instep 704, the service center apparatus 14 may transmit the receivedrecipient information to the service terminal apparatus 16, the receiverdevice 18 of which received the recipient identification from thetransmitter device 30 of the recipient

In step 703, according to the second exemplary embodiment, recipient GPSlocation data is received from a transmitter device 34 of the recipient.In step 704, the service center apparatus 14 transmits the GPS locationinformation received in step 703 to the assigned service terminalapparatuses assigned for recipient ID and containing the uploadedservice message 702 for that recipient ID.

In step 705, the service center apparatus 14 may receive, from theservice terminal apparatus 16, a service completion message, wherein theservice center apparatus 14 may subsequently notify the sender device 38by forwarding, in step 705, the service completion message to the senderdevice 38.

According to the third exemplary embodiment, in step 701, a servicecenter apparatus 14 receives, from a sender device 38, information on atime schedule and one or more service terminal apparatuses assigned fora content service. The service center apparatus 14 that may include e.g.a service center node or server, may also receive the respective contentin step 701. The content service herein may refer to a personalizedgreeting and/or advertisement as disclosed above. The receivedinformation and/or content may be stored in a database memory by theservice center apparatus 14. In step 702, the service center apparatus14 transmits signalling to the one or more assigned service terminalapparatuses 16, for uploading the content service and the received timeschedule to the one or more assigned service terminal apparatuses 16. Instep 705, the service center apparatus 14 may receive, from the serviceterminal apparatus 16, a service completion message, wherein the servicecenter apparatus 14 may subsequently notify the sender device 38 byforwarding, in step 705, the service completion message to the senderdevice 38.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary embodiment. Accordingto the first and second exemplary embodiments, in step 801, a serviceterminal apparatus 16 receives, from a service center apparatus 14,signalling inviting the service terminal apparatus 16 to upload acontent service to the service terminal apparatus 16. In step 802, theservice terminal apparatus receives information on a recipientidentification or recipient GPS location data from a receiver device 18,32 of the service terminal apparatus 16.

According to the first exemplary embodiment, in step 803, the serviceterminal apparatus 16 compares its location information with thelocation of the receiver device 18 which received the recipientidentification from the transmitter device 30 of the recipient. If,based on the comparing, it is detected 803 that the service terminalapparatus 16 is the one the receiver device 18 of which received therecipient identification from the transmitter device 30 of therecipient, the service terminal apparatus 16 brings the uploaded contentservice up on the monitor of the selected service terminal apparatus 16.

According to the second exemplary embodiment, in step 803, the serviceterminal apparatus 16 compares the recipient's GPS location informationwith the service terminal apparatus's own location information toidentify if the recipient 20 is in close proximity. If it is, in step804, the service terminal apparatus activates the content service,inviting the service terminal apparatus 16 to display the uploadedcontent service on a monitor of the service terminal apparatus, wherein,in step 804, the service terminal apparatus 16 displays the uploadedcontent service on the monitor of the service terminal apparatus.

In step 805, the service terminal apparatus 16 may transmit a servicecompletion message to the service center apparatus 14.

According to the third exemplary embodiment, in step 801, a serviceterminal apparatus 16 receives; from a service center apparatus 14,signalling inviting the service terminal apparatus 16 to upload acontent service and a service schedule to the service terminal apparatus16. In step 804, the service terminal apparatus activates the uploadedcontent service according to the received schedule, inviting the serviceterminal apparatus 16 to display the uploaded content service on amonitor of the service terminal apparatus, wherein, in step 804, theservice terminal apparatus 16 displays the uploaded content service onthe monitor of the service terminal apparatus. In step 805, the serviceterminal apparatus 16 may transmit a service completion message to theservice center apparatus 14.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary embodiment. Accordingto the first and second exemplary embodiments, in step 901, a serviceterminal apparatus 16 receives from a service center apparatus 14,signalling inviting the service terminal apparatus 16 to download acontent to the service terminal apparatus 16. In step 902, the serviceterminal apparatus receives information from recipient proximityidentifying unit 18, 32 of the service terminal apparatus 16.

In step 903, the service terminal apparatus 16 identifies if anyinformation for interactive two-steps content delivery is stored interminal memory for ID of recipient 20, and if content found, displaysits first step content on the monitor of service terminal apparatus 16in step 904.

In step 905, the service terminal apparatus 16 identifies if anyinformation for the second step of interactive two-steps contentdelivery is stored in terminal memory for ID of recipient 20, and ifcontent found, starts procedure to recognize recipient's reactionutilizing video camera 40 and microphone 42 of service terminal 16, andwhen some form of reaction like changes in motion pattern, facialpattern, voice reaction pattern and such is confirmed, the second stepcontent stored in service terminal 16 for two-steps content delivery isbringing up on the monitor of service terminal apparatus 16 to bedisplayed in step 906. In certain embodiments, service terminals mayutilize two or more reaction detection means simultaneously in order toimprove accuracy of reaction detection.

In step 907, if live interaction session is requested for the secondstep of two-steps content delivery, then instead of static content thelive video/audio session is employed in service terminal 16 in form ofSkype or similar known in live video chatting technique, to provide withsupport of video camera 40 and microphone 42 a short video/audio sessionbetween sender 10 and recipient 20. The two-steps content delivery isconcluding in step 908 by sending two-steps content deliveryconfirmation to the service center 14.

The techniques described herein may be implemented by various means sothat an apparatus implementing one or more functions of a correspondingmobile entity described with an embodiment comprises not only prior artmeans, but also means for implementing the one or more functions of acorresponding apparatus described with an embodiment and it may compriseseparate means for each separate function, or means may be configured toperform two or more functions. For example, these techniques may beimplemented in hardware (one or more apparatuses), firmware (one or moreapparatuses), software (one or more modules), or combinations thereof.For a firm-ware or software, implementation can be through modules(e.g., procedures, functions, and so on) that perform the functionsdescribed herein. The software codes may be stored in any suitable,processor/computer-readable data storage medium(s) or memory unit(s) orarticle(s) of manufacture and executed by one or moreprocessors/computers. The data storage medium or the memory unit may beimplemented within the processor/computer or external to theprocessor/computer, in which case it can be communicatively coupled tothe processor/computer via various means as is known in the art.

User equipment may refer to any user communication device. Term “userequipment” as used herein may refer to any device having a communicationcapability, such as a wireless mobile terminal, a PDA, tablet, a smartphone, a personal computer (PC), a laptop computer, a desktop computer,etc. For example, the wireless communication terminal may be an UMTS orGSM/EDGE smart mobile terminal having wireless modem. Thus, theapplication capabilities of the device according to various embodimentsof the invention may include native applications available in theterminal, or subsequently installed applications by the user or operatoror other entity. The operations, administrations and maintenance nodemay be implemented in any network element, such as a server.

Thus a personalized greeting and advertisement arrangement for allowingindividual is disclosed to create and display a personal greeting oradvertisement content over the global reach media. The arrangement mayinvolve a sender 10 for providing personalized greeting andadvertisement content by using a sender apparatus 38, a recipientviewing personalized greeting and/or advertisement content, an Internet12 for providing global reach capability, actively connected to thesender apparatus 38, a service center apparatus 14 for data managementof electronic content and business logic support, permanently connectedto the Internet 12, a service terminal apparatus 16 for displayingpersonalized greeting and/or advertisement content, a short range radioapparatus 18 for listening to customer identification messages, a shortrange transmitter apparatus 30 for transmitting customer identificationmessages, wirelessly connected to the short range radio apparatus 18,and suitably equipped to be carried with by the recipient 30, a GPSsensor for transmitting the service terminal's 16 position locationidentification, a GPS poster apparatus 34, for transmitting therecipient's 20 position location identification, wirelessly connected tothe Internet 12, and suitably equipped to be carried with by therecipient 20, a computer unit 22 of the service terminal apparatus 16for communication with the service center apparatus 14, for managinggreeting and advertisement content flow, for bringing content on the bigscreen monitor 24 to be viewed, and operationally connected to the GPSsensor apparatus 32 and/or the short range radio apparatus 18, a bigscreen monitor 24 for making the greeting/advertisement contentviewable, operationally connected to the computer unit 22, and viewableby the recipient 20, a wired Internet connection 26 for connection tothe service center 14, operationally connected to the computer unit 22,and operationally connected to the Internet 12, a wireless Internetconnection 28, for wireless connection to the service center apparatus14, operationally connected to the computer unit 22, and operationallyconnected to the Internet 12, and a time schedule data 36 for greetingand advertisement invocation from internal memory of the computer unit22 within assigned time frame, remotely assigned to the computer unit22, an external or embedded video camera 40, operationally connected tocomputer unit 22, an external or embedded microphone 42, operationallyconnected to computer unit 22.

Thus, in an exemplary embodiment, the service center 14 may beconfigured to provide an overall system functionality via a global reachmedia, to create and support user accounts, maintain a web portal forthe user accounts, statistics, services, etc., to perform GPS datatracking, to handle financial data flow, and/or to provide systemstatistics and troubleshooting for future development and improvement.

In an exemplary embodiment, the service terminal 16 may be configured toreceive service content from the service center mainly accompanied by arecipient ID and/or a time schedule, to identify registered recipientsin a close proximity based on recipients' IDs transmitted via a shortrange radio link, to display service content in the form of apersonalized greeting and/or advertisement based on a method selectedfrom 1) listening to and comparing recipient ID with a list of assignedservice terminals 16 for the service IDs in a particular serviceterminal 16, 2) listening to service center messages notifying thatbased on the recipient's GPS data s/he is in a close proximity of aparticular service terminal 16, 3) bringing up to the screen messagesstored in the service terminal 16 based on a time schedule of themessage assigned by the service center 14, and executing an interactivetwo-steps content delivery to the service terminal if such is requested.

The steps/points, signalling messages and related functions de-scribedabove in FIG. 1 to 9 are in no absolute chronological order, and some ofthe steps/points may be performed simultaneously or in an orderdiffering from the given one. Other functions can also be executedbetween the steps/points or within the steps/points and other signallingmessages sent between the illustrated messages. Some of the steps/pointsor part of the steps/points can also be left out or replaced by acorresponding step/point or part of the step/point. The apparatusoperations illustrate a procedure that may be implemented in one or morephysical or logical entities. The signalling messages are only exemplaryand may even comprise several separate messages for transmitting thesame information. In addition, the messages may also contain otherinformation.

According to an exemplary embodiment, there is provided a methodcomprising receiving information on a recipient identification in aservice terminal apparatus assigned, in a sender device, for the contentservice; uploading the content service to the assigned service terminalapparatus; receiving, in the service terminal apparatus, information onthe recipient identification received from a transmitter device of therecipient by a receiver device of the service terminal apparatus;comparing location information on the service terminal apparatus withlocation information of the receiver device which received the recipientidentification from the transmitter device of the recipient; wherein if,based on the comparing, it is detected that the service terminalapparatus is the service terminal apparatus the receiver device of whichreceived the recipient identification from the transmitter device of therecipient, the method comprises activating the content service in theservice terminal apparatus for inviting the service terminal apparatusto display the uploaded content service on a monitor of the serviceterminal apparatus as a single step content delivery or interactivetwo-steps content delivery to the service terminal if such is requested.

According to another exemplary embodiment, there is provided a methodcomprising receiving information on a recipient identification in aservice terminal apparatus assigned, in a sender device, for the contentservice; uploading the content service to the assigned service terminalapparatus; receiving, in the service terminal apparatus, information ona location of a transmitter device of the recipient; comparing thereceived location information with location information on the assignedservice terminal apparatus; wherein, if, based on the comparing, theservice terminal apparatus identifies that the recipient is in a closeproximity of the service terminal apparatus, the method comprisesactivating the content service in the service terminal apparatus forinviting the service terminal apparatus to display the uploaded contentservice on a monitor of the service terminal apparatus.

According to a yet another exemplary embodiment, there is provided amethod comprising receiving information on a time schedule in a serviceterminal apparatus assigned, in a sender device, for the contentservice; uploading the content service to the assigned service terminalapparatus; based on the received time schedule, activating the contentservice in the service terminal apparatus for inviting the serviceterminal apparatus to display the uploaded content service on a monitorof the service terminal apparatus.

According to a yet another exemplary embodiment, there is provided aservice center apparatus configured to receive information on arecipient identification and one or more service terminal apparatusesassigned, by a sender device, for a content service; upload the contentservice to the one or more assigned service terminal apparatuses;transmit the received information on the recipient identification to theone or more assigned service terminal apparatuses.

According to a yet another exemplary embodiment, there is provided aservice center apparatus configured to receive information on arecipient identification and one or more service terminal apparatusesassigned, in a sender device, for a content service; upload the contentservice to the one or more assigned service terminal apparatuses;receive information on a location of a transmitter device of therecipient; transmit the information on the location of the transmitterdevice of the recipient to the same service terminal apparatus where thecontent service for the recipient identification was uploaded.

According to a yet another exemplary embodiment, there is provided aservice center apparatus configured to receive information on a timeschedule and one or more service terminal apparatuses assigned, in asender device, for a content service; upload the content service to theone or more assigned service terminal apparatuses; transmit the receivedtime schedule to the one or more assigned service terminals apparatuses.

According to a yet another exemplary embodiment, there is provided aservice terminal apparatus configured to upload a content service basedon an upload content service message received from a service centerapparatus; receive information on a recipient identification received,from a transmitter device of a recipient, by a receiver device of theservice terminal apparatus; compare location information on the serviceterminal apparatus with location information of the receiver devicewhich received the recipient identification from the transmitter deviceof the recipient; wherein if, based on the comparing, it is detectedthat the service terminal apparatus is the service terminal apparatusthe receiver device of which received the recipient identification fromthe transmitter device of the recipient, the service terminal apparatusis configured to activate the content service for inviting the serviceterminal apparatus to display the uploaded content service on a monitorof the service terminal apparatus.

According to a yet another exemplary embodiment, there is provided aservice terminal apparatus configured to upload a content service basedon an upload content service message received from a service centerapparatus; receive information on a location of a transmitter device ofa recipient; compare the received location information with locationinformation of the service terminal apparatus; if, based on thecomparing, the service terminal apparatus identifies that the recipientis in a close proximity of the service terminal apparatus, the serviceterminal apparatus is configured to activate the content service in theservice terminal apparatus for inviting the service terminal apparatusto display the uploaded content service on a monitor of the serviceterminal apparatus.

According to a yet another exemplary embodiment, there is provided aservice terminal apparatus configured to receive information on a timeschedule for a content service; upload the content service based on anupload content service message received from a service center apparatus;activate, based on the received time schedule, the content service inthe service terminal apparatus for inviting the service terminalapparatus to display the uploaded content service on a monitor of theservice terminal apparatus.

According to a yet another exemplary embodiment, the service centerapparatus is connected to the sender device via a communications networkproviding a global reach capability.

According to a yet another exemplary embodiment, the service centerapparatus is connected to the service terminal apparatus via acommunications network providing a global reach capability.

According to a yet another exemplary embodiment, the service centerapparatus comprises a service center node capable of data management ofelectronic content and business logic support.

According to a yet another exemplary embodiment, the content servicecomprises one of a greeting service and an advertising service.

According to a yet another exemplary embodiment, the receiver device ofthe service terminal apparatus comprises a short range radio capable oflistening to customer identification messages.

According to a yet another exemplary embodiment, the transmitter deviceof the recipient comprises a short range transmitter for transmittinguser identification messages, wirelessly connected to a short rangeradio, and suitably equipped for the recipient.

According to a yet another exemplary embodiment, the receiver device ofthe service terminal apparatus comprises a GPS sensor for identifying alocation of a GPS poster.

According to a yet another exemplary embodiment, the transmitter deviceof the recipient comprises a GPS poster for transmitting user locationinformation messages, wirelessly connected to the Internet, and suitablyequipped to the recipient.

According to a yet another exemplary embodiment, the method comprisesallowing a user of the sender device to create and display personalizedgreeting or advertisement content over a global reach media.

According to a yet another exemplary embodiment, the service terminalapparatus is configured to transmit location data on the serviceterminal apparatus to the service center apparatus.

According to a yet another exemplary embodiment, the method comprisesemploying a priority logic and a queue technique if more than onerecipients are simultaneously found in the close proximity of theservice terminal apparatus.

It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that, as thetechnology advances, the inventive concept may be implemented in variousways. The invention and its embodiments are not limited to the examplesdescribed above but may vary within the scope of the claims.

What is claimed:
 1. A method of providing a content service to arecipient in a communications system, wherein the method comprises:receiving information on a recipient identification in a serviceterminal apparatus assigned, in a sender device, for the contentservice; uploading the content service to the assigned service terminalapparatus; receiving, in the service terminal apparatus, information onthe recipient identification received from a transmitter device of therecipient by a receiver device of the service terminal apparatus;comparing location information on the service terminal apparatus withlocation information of the receiver device which received the recipientidentification from the transmitter device of the recipient; andactivating the content service in the service terminal apparatus forinviting the service terminal apparatus to display the uploaded contentservice on a monitor of the service terminal apparatus.
 2. A method ofproviding a content service to a recipient in a communications system,wherein the method comprises: receiving information on a recipientidentification in a service terminal apparatus assigned, in a senderdevice, for the content service; uploading the content service to theassigned service terminal apparatus; receiving, in the service terminalapparatus, information on a location of a transmitter device of therecipient; comparing the received location information with locationinformation on the assigned service terminal apparatus; and activatingthe content service in the service terminal apparatus for inviting theservice terminal apparatus to display the uploaded content service on amonitor of the service terminal apparatus.
 3. A method of providing acontent service to a recipient in a communications system, wherein themethod comprises: receiving information on a time schedule in a serviceterminal apparatus assigned, in a sender device, for the contentservice; uploading the content service to the assigned service terminalapparatus; and based on the received time schedule, activating thecontent service in the service terminal apparatus for inviting theservice terminal apparatus to display the uploaded content service on amonitor of the service terminal apparatus.
 4. A service center apparatusfor a communications system, wherein the service center apparatus isconfigured to: receive information on a recipient identification and oneor more service terminal apparatuses assigned, by a sender device, for acontent service; upload the content service to the one or more assignedservice terminal apparatuses; and transmit the received information onthe recipient identification to the one or more assigned serviceterminal apparatuses.
 5. A service center apparatus for a communicationssystem, wherein the service center apparatus is configured to: receiveinformation on a recipient identification and one or more serviceterminal apparatuses assigned, in a sender device, for a contentservice; upload the content service to the one or more assigned serviceterminal apparatuses; receive information on a location of a transmitterdevice of the recipient; and transmit the information on the location ofthe transmitter device of the recipient to the same service terminalapparatus where the content service for the recipient identification wasuploaded.
 6. A service center apparatus for a communications system,wherein the service center apparatus is configured to: receiveinformation on a time schedule and one or more service terminalapparatuses assigned, in a sender device, for a content service; uploadthe content service to the one or more assigned service terminalapparatuses; and transmit the received time schedule to the one or moreassigned service terminals apparatuses.
 7. A service terminal apparatusfor a communications system, wherein the service terminal apparatus isconfigured to: upload a content service based on an upload contentservice message received from a service center apparatus; receiveinformation on a recipient identification received, from a transmitterdevice of a recipient, by a receiver device of the service terminalapparatus; compare location information on the service terminalapparatus with location information of the receiver device whichreceived the recipient identification from the transmitter device of therecipient; and activate the content service for inviting the serviceterminal apparatus to display the uploaded content service on a monitorof the service terminal apparatus.
 8. A service terminal apparatus for acommunications system, wherein the service terminal apparatus isconfigured to: upload a content service based on an upload contentservice message received from a service center apparatus; receiveinformation on a location of a transmitter device of a recipient;compare the received location information with location information ofthe service terminal apparatus; and activate the content service in theservice terminal apparatus for inviting the service terminal apparatusto display the uploaded content service on a monitor of the serviceterminal apparatus.
 9. A service terminal apparatus for a communicationssystem, wherein the service terminal apparatus is configured to: receiveinformation on a time schedule for a content service; upload the contentservice based on an upload content service message received from aservice center apparatus; and activate, based on the received timeschedule, the content service in the service terminal apparatus forinviting the service terminal apparatus to display the uploaded contentservice on a monitor of the service terminal apparatus.
 10. A methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the service center apparatus is connectedto the sender device via a communications network providing a globalreach capability.
 11. A method according to claim 1, wherein the servicecenter apparatus is connected to the service terminal apparatus via acommunications network providing a global reach capability.
 12. Anapparatus according to claim 4, wherein the service center apparatuscomprises a service center node capable of data management of electroniccontent and business logic support.
 13. A method according to claim 1,wherein the content service comprises one of a greeting service and anadvertising service.
 14. A method according to claim 1, wherein thereceiver device of the service terminal apparatus comprises a shortrange radio capable of listening to customer identification messages.15. A method according to claim 1, wherein the transmitter device of therecipient comprises a short range transmitter for transmitting useridentification messages, wirelessly connected to a short range radio,and suitably equipped for the recipient.
 16. A method according to claim2, wherein the receiver device of the service terminal apparatuscomprises a GPS sensor for identifying a location of a GPS poster.
 17. Amethod according to claim 2, wherein the transmitter device of therecipient comprises a GPS poster for transmitting user locationinformation messages, wirelessly connected to the Internet, and suitablyequipped to the recipient.
 18. A method according to claim 1, whereinthe method comprises allowing a user of the sender device to create anddisplay personalized greeting or advertisement content over a globalreach media.
 19. A service terminal apparatus according to claim 8,wherein it is configured to transmit location data on the serviceterminal apparatus to the service center apparatus.
 20. A methodaccording to claim 2, wherein the method comprises employing a prioritylogic and a queue technique if more than one recipients aresimultaneously found in the close proximity of the service terminalapparatus.